Daniel O’Donnell serves as the Associate Director of Higher Education at Benefits Data Trust. He is responsible for growing and managing BDT’s higher education portfolio of work - with a focus on state systems and agencies - to connect students to Pell Grants, SNAP, and other assistance to help them succeed in college. 

Daniel is a passionate advocate for educational access, and a strong believer in life-long learning. He has spent his career working for mission-driven organizations. As the former Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at Merit America, Daniel led partnership strategy and expansion for the fastest-growing nonprofit in the United States – providing an alternative pathway to postsecondary education to thousands of low-income individuals across the country. As the Associate Director of Graduate Enrollment Management at the top-ranked Indiana University O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs, Daniel managed graduate enrollment for seven graduate-degree programs, and oversaw a $4 million financial aid budget. Currently, Daniel serves on the board of directors of Oak Point University, a nursing and radiography college in suburban Chicago that focuses on serving nontraditional students.  

Daniel lives in Chicago, Illinois and holds a Master of Science in Adult Education and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, both from Indiana University. He also has Graduate Certificates in Higher Education and Student Affairs and Business.